The Good Good Earth

Yesterday I spent the entire day with the garden. Here's where it stands so far:

11 tomato plants

4 herbs - thyme, oregano, parsley, basil

2 squash plants

3 blueberry bushes

6 begonias

3 annuals

6 balloon flowers

1 wisteria

1 really great farmer tan (really, it's more of a burn)

Today I hope to get some seeds in the ground. Ahh, spring.

Waffling

Where to begin? My child has had issues at school this year; more this year than ever before. He can't focus, doesn't follow directions, gets lost between tasks. The list goes on. I've tried to be an educated parent, an advocate for my child and staunchly opposed to labeling my kid with ADD/ADHD. I know too well the disdain with which teachers treat "those" kids. The teacher has been lobbying long and hard to see if we can't "do more" for him. I see this as code for "get him on meds." I've been in tears more than once about this whole endeavor. I've been angry and worried and ready to yank him from school to educate him myself.

Her persistence finally wore me down. 

We are seeing a specialist next week to discuss what we are seeing in our boy and set up a series of evaluations for him. I feel good about the person we are going to see. He's not connected to the school, so I feel like he won't be unduly influenced by the teacher's observations. He comes highly recommended by our pediatrician -- & I trust our pediatrician with my life. Our first appointment is just with the doc and the parents. I like these things a lot. But today, the whole thing is weighing on me. 

This parenting thing is such a moving target.

Weather, how do I love thee?

I've been a little torn with the weather these days. I want to get out and plant my blueberry bushes and wisteria -- which have both arrived in top condition. But living in Indiana makes things exciting. They say if you don't like the weather, stick around 5 minutes, it'll change. (yeah, I know they say the same thing in Baltimore and probably where you live too)

And the weather has done me in this week. There has been no planting as the threat of frost continues to keep us at bay. And the day I did try and get out to help RJH with the new mulch and topping off the beds with dirt, the wind was gusting and my allergies kicked into high gear. And just to make things more fun, I am realizing that I am not as crazy as I thought, but whenever there is a low pressure system coming in, I get a headache. I got a doozie of a sinus hummer this week.

So instead of gardening, I've been finishing up several of my knitting projects. I have a baby gift that FINALLY got finished (and don't tell AJ, but I'd love to keep it for myself!), an Easter sweater vest for the boy that I FINALLY got all the loose threads tucked into, and a birthday present for a dear friend that is nearing completion. All in all, not a bad way to wait out the weather, but not what I had in mind.

Quick Trip

We are headed up to see my sister tomorrow. It's officially spring break and Hayes said he really just wanted to go to Chelsea. I love that kid! So tomorrow he and I will take a little trip up to MI to see our girls. I realized about an hour ago that could mean snow. Gads! So I'll be packing all sorts of layers for the boy and me, and certainly that lovely poncho, to stay warm. 

Ironically several of our plants arrived from Spring Hill today - including our new wisteria (the picture to the left - Blue Moon Reblooming)! and a blueberry bush (the Northland variety)! Can't wait for the other blueberry bushes to arrive from Gurneys. I just love spring! We've got to get the shallots and spinach out this week too. And start the lettuce. It's so good to be back in the swing of the garden. I can almost smell the earth right now.

Spring Break 09

So my parents are off to Florida for the week. Mom is a retired teacher and Dad is still teaching. Spring break still means something for them. It's a much needed break, for all of us.

They are traveling with friends in a minivan packed to the gills. They're like a bunch of teenagers: do we have the sports equipment, the beach stuff, the wine? It's almost like a preview of watching my son 10 years from now. Us reminding them to take their cell phones, sunscreen, check e-mail and call when they get there. They trying to decide if Disney is on the list, or if golf is more what they want to do, who and when they'll hook up with, where they'll go to eat.

This parenting thing is way more than it's cracked up to be. Godspeed.

Early Morning

I used to be an early riser, always, no matter what. Now I am what I would call a "seasonal riser" - one who rises more or less with the sun. Winter makes me want to burrow deeper into the covers and sleep. But as spring slowly graces us with her presence, I find myself compelled to get up earlier and see what she has to offer. We've had some glorious weather this last week and I am completely smitten with it.

Today, I was up much earlier than normal. We had another morning detention to attend. (Don't even get me started on the ways I think it's ridiculous...) And, ironically, I was so glad. The ground fog this morning was glorious! I kept commenting about it all the way to school. I think Hayes thought I was a bit daft. I was wishing so much that I had tucked my camera in my bag, because the ruby sunrise was to die for. I did manage to get a few snaps in the back 40 before the sun was to high.

When I turned around, I saw our garden shrouded in the fog, and fell in love with it all over again. I can't wait to see that wisteria on the pergola.

And here are a few I just couldn't resist. The Red Twig Dogwood is spectacularly red this year. And our daffodils have started to bloom. Spring is coming.

I Am Such A Dog Person

It official. I'm a dog person. I actually knit this beauty for my gorgeous dog Jez. It suits her. I'm proudly displaying my dog person-ness. I may even be selling these soon -- keep an eye on Etsy.

Spring Fever

Here we are again at the beginning of March. I can smell the dampness of the earth, feel the change in the wind, and I am aching to get out there and set up the garden. Alas, it's too early. The almanac says I need to wait.

So I've channelled that energy into a new collage - it's still a work in progress, but it certainly has to do with spring. I'm hoping to create a series based on the concept of nesting. My folks christened their cottage The Nesting Place. It fits us in so many ways. That was also part of my inspiration for this. I'll give you a peek at the current work:

We'll have to see how they look, but I can see a nest of shredded money, a nest of fibers, a magpie roost, all sorts of things. I'll be setting aside some work days soon. Come on spring!